'Hacking Impossible' Quantum Cryptography Communication, SKT Leads Standardization

Participated in ITU-T International Meeting to Develop Standards
Enhanced Security through Integrated Management of Quantum Key Distribution Technology and Quantum-Resistant Cryptography

As we enter the hyper-connected era where everything?people, data, and objects?is linked through the internet and communication networks, the importance of security is growing. This is why 'quantum-secure communication,' known as an absolute technology that is impossible to hack, is gaining attention. SK Telecom is showing a unique leadership in this field, not only developing quantum-secure communication technology but also succeeding in its commercialization. The company is actively working on establishing global standards to promote technological advancement and industrialization.

"Applying Quantum Mechanics... Absolutely Unhackable"

SKT announced that from the 29th of this month to the 8th of next month, it will be developing the standardization task for 'Quantum-safe communication (QSC)' at the ITU-T Study Group 17 (SG17) international meeting held at KINTEX in Ilsan.

ITU-T is a specialized international organization under the United Nations (UN) for international technical standardization, responsible for setting standards in the telecommunications field. Through biannual international meetings, it undertakes activities such as adopting international standards and providing technical guidelines for developing cybersecurity international standards.

The Information Security Study Group consists of 15 working groups and leads the development of international standards for various research tasks. SKT serves as the chair of the working group responsible for establishing standards for quantum security and next-generation security technologies, leading the standard development work for quantum-secure communication.

'Quantum-secure communication' is a communication security technology that creates synergy by leveraging the complementary advantages of quantum key distribution technology (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect the entire communication process from attacks by quantum computers.

Quantum key distribution technology is based on the properties of quantum mechanics, making it so secure that hacking is virtually impossible. Post-quantum cryptography uses mathematical problems that take a long time for quantum computers to solve, and since it can be implemented through software upgrades, it offers excellent scalability.

Currently, SKT is conducting research on a solution that integrates the management of quantum cryptography and post-quantum cryptography (Key management solution). By using this, quantum cryptographic keys and post-quantum cryptography can be operated in an integrated manner. Connecting sections where quantum key distribution technology is applied with sections where post-quantum cryptography technology is applied can protect the entire communication path from quantum computer attacks. It is also possible to maximize security strength by using both technologies in a single section.

For example, when communication occurs from a data center to a smartphone, quantum cryptography can be applied to the wired network section of the data center, the internet network section, and the exchange and base station sections, while post-quantum cryptography can be applied between the base station and the smartphone over the wireless network, thereby protecting the entire communication path from external attacks.

In data centers storing important and sensitive data such as public, defense, and financial sectors, applying quantum cryptography technology and then using post-quantum cryptography when transmitting externally via wireless communication enables safer communication.

Quantum Security Market Size 24.5 Trillion KRW

The reason SKT is actively engaging in standardization work is that once common agreements on technology specifications and quality are established, technological development and industrialization are accelerated.

The industry expects the global quantum cryptography communication market to grow at an average annual rate of 39.8% after 2022, reaching a scale of 24.5 trillion KRW by 2030.

SKT, together with SK Broadband and IDQ, has achieved results in the commercialization of quantum cryptography communication technology, completing quantum cryptography network operation demonstrations and standard establishment at ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). IDQ is a quantum security company acquired by SKT in 2018.

Additionally, SKT commercialized post-quantum cryptography on international network VPNs (virtual private networks) in the US, Japan, and Singapore for the first time in Korea, using algorithms likely to be adopted as global standard technologies for post-quantum cryptography.

SKT also succeeded in applying quantum key distribution technology to commercial LTE networks in 2016 and to the 5G network section between Seoul and Daejeon in 2019. Notably, SKT has been recognized for its quantum technology capabilities on the global stage by consecutively winning quantum cryptography communication construction projects in markets such as the US, Europe, and Singapore.

Ham Min-yong, SKT’s Chief Digital Officer (CDO), said, "It is highly meaningful that we have taken the lead in establishing standards for next-generation security technologies that leverage the complementary advantages of quantum cryptography and post-quantum cryptography at international meetings. As a national representative quantum company, SKT will lead the global quantum cryptography market through research and business related to quantum cryptography communication."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.